Examines the disease of obesity and its metabolic consequences. Explores obesity in relation to physiological and psychological health, and describes the clinical aspects of properly evaluating obese patients. Discusses the roles of dietary factors, appetite, exercise, metabolism, and the endocrine system in obesity, as well as the effects of significant weight loss on long-term health. Also discusses the psychology of obesity, weight loss, and regain. Provides practitioners with detailed guidelines for selecting and implementing multidisciplinary treatment that incorporates dietary intervention, exercise, behavior modification and stress management, and, when necessary, surgery or pharmacotherapy. Emphasizes matching patients with clinical interventions and treatment settings, and presents strategies for maintaining weight loss. Illustrates how to design interventions appropriate for the hospital, physician's office, clinic, home and workplace, and how to integrate different types of interventions in multiple settings. Written for physicians, dietitians, phychiatrists,